Joseph Ejercito “Erap” Estrada

President of the Philippines

June 30,1998 - January 20, 2001

Professor: Dr. Ador Paulino

Subject: Political Theories and Processes

ALEX S REGADO, PPSC

Sr. Education Program Specialist
TERMS:
Government by the Few
• Aristocracy – a government or the state characterized by
the rule of nobility, elite, or privileged upper class. A
government body composed of the best men in the state.
• Oligarchy – a form of government in which power is vested
in the people or in dominant class or clique, like the regime
of Marcos.

Government by Many
• Democracy – a form of government in which the supreme
power is vested in the people and exercised by them or by
their elected agents under the free electoral system
Political Dynasty
Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio in a ruling in 2011
defined the term “political dynasties” in the case of
Navarro v. Ermita (GR No. 180050; April 12, 2011) as a
phenomenon that concentrates political power and
public resources within the control of a few families
whose members alternately hold elective offices, deftly
skirting term limits”. (Ref: Stephanie S. Cabigao, UP Forum, “The Making of Political
Dynasties in the Philippines, April 30, 2013.)

 At present, it is estimated that there are over 150

Political Dynasties in the Philippines today.
Joseph Ejercito “Erap” Estrada
TIMELINES:
 Personal Life
 Political Life
 Financial Status
 Corruption Charges and Impeachment
 Arraignment for Plunder and Perjury Charges
 Detention & Pardon
 Return to Politics
Personal Life
 Estrada was born on April 19, 1937 in Tondo, Manila
 Parents: to Emilio Liza Ejercito, Sr., a former Chief Sanitary
Engineer of Manila, and Maria Marcelo.
 He studied at the Ateneo de Manila University but was expelled
for unbecoming conduct. He enrolled at the Mapua Institute of
Technology but dropped out before finishing college to pursue a
career in acting.
 It was during his first term as Senator of the Republic that he
was conferred with a degree of Doctor in Humanities (Honoris
Causa) by the University of Pangasinan in 1990.
 He was conferred the same degree by the Bicol University in
1997.
 Estrada is married to the physician and former senator Luisa
“Loi” P. Ejercito Estrada and has three children with her: Jinggoy,
Senate President Pro Tempore, Jacqueline, and Jude.
The 12 Children of Erap
Below are the names of his 12 children.
1. José "Jinggoy" Ejército, Jr, 6. Joseph Victor Ejército
 With former First Lady-turned-senator Dr. Luísa  With incumbent San Juan City Mayor Guia Gómez
"Loi" Pimentel, whom he met while she was
working at the National Center for Mental Health  Mayor of San Juan (2001–2010)
(NCMH) in Mandaluyong City  Representative of San Juan City (2010–2013)
 Mayor of City of San Juan, Metro Manila from 1992–  Senator (2013-present)
2001  Married to Cindy Lotuaco
 Senator of the Philippines from 2004–present
 Married to Precy Vitug 7. Joan Ejército
 With former actress Mary Ann Murphy
2. Jackie Ejército
 With former First Lady-turned-senator Dr. Luísa 8. Jason Ejército
"Loi" Pimentel, whom he met while she was
working at the National Center for Mental Health  With a former air hostess who is publicly known
(NCMH) in Mandaluyong City only by the name "Larena"
 Married to Beaver López, son of Meralco chairman
Manuel López 9. Jerika Ejército
 With former actress Laarni Enriquez:
3. Jude Ejército
 With former First Lady-turned-senator Dr. Luísa 10. Juan Emilio "Jake" Ejército
"Loi" Pimentel, whom he met while she was  With former actress Laarni Enriquez:
working at the National Center for Mental Health
(NCMH) in Mandaluyong City
 Married to Rowena Ocampo 11. Jacob Ejército
 With former actress Laarni Enriquez:
4. Joel Eduardo "Jojo" Ejército
 With former actress Peachy Osorio 12. Joma Ejército
 With former air hostess Joy Melendrez.
5. Teresita "Tetchie" Ejército
 With former actress Peachy Osorio *Short- live affair with PAL stewardess Rowena Lopez
Politics
Mayoralty of San Juan
 He served as mayor of San Juan from 1969 up to 1986, when then President
Marcos fell from power. When Corazon Aquino assumed the presidency in
1986, all local government officials suspected of malfeasance and
anomalies, Estrada included, were removed from office.
Senate, First Term
 He ran for senate the following year and won a seat under the Grand
Alliance for Democracy (GAD) party.
Vice Presidency
 Estrada then went on to become Vice President of the Republic in 1992.
Estrada initially intended to run for the presidency in the 1992 presidential
elections but later decided to join Eduardo Cojuangco, Jr. of the Nationalist
People’s Coalition and run as vice president instead. Cojuangco lost to
LAKAS-NUCD bet Fidel V. Ramos. Under the Ramos administration,
Estrada was appointed head of the Presidential Anti-Crime
Commission (PACC).
Politics
Presidency
 In 1997, after four years as the country's second-in-
command, Estrada finally decided to run for president. His
political strategists recognized that a large percentage of
the Philippines' voting population was the “masa” and
launched a campaign specifically designed to woo them.
Finding a leader they could identify with, the masa rallied
behind Estrada and his slogan "Erap Para sa Mahirap" (Erap
for the poor), which is a slogan he still uses in his
campaigns.
 Edgardo Angara was defeated by Gloria Macapagal
Arroyo for the vice presidency while Estrada won by a
landslide with eleven-million votes and was seated as the
13th President of the Philippines. Estrada took his oath of
office as President of the Republic on June 30,1998 in the
historical town of Malolos, Bulacan.
Domestic Policies
 Early into his presidency President Estrada removed all
sovereign guarantees which would require the sovereign
Filipino people to assume the financial losses of private
companies doing business with the government. His
programs as president was under the name "Angat-Pinoy
2004".
 On the day he took office, a new agency in government
called the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC),
which institutionalizes the processes of the Social
Reform Agenda (SRA) in order to sustain its gains, was
established. Joseph Estrada became its first chairman.
The law also mandates the NAPC to enhance the
programs, approaches and strategies to strengthen the
partnership between government and the basic sectors.
Domestic Policies
 In terms of peace and order, President Estrada created
the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF)
with the objective of minimizing, if not totally eradicating, car
theft and kidnapping in Metro Manila. With the help of this task
force, the Philippine National Police for the first time in history
achieved a record-high trust rating of +53 percent. Panfilo
Lacson was its first head. President Estrada also created
the Presidential Commission for Mass Housing (PCMH) and
with the help of the Housing and Urban Development
Coordinating Council (HUDCC), he provided 190,000
households with housing units, construction and improvement
of roads and bridges and construction of classrooms were
started. The president also proposed improvements to the
curricula to meet both global standards and local needs, and
controlled the hiking prices of transportation fair, food and
medicine.
Domestic Policies
In 1999, President Estrada signed into law and implemented
the following:
 Republic Act no. 8749, better known as The Clean Air Act,
 Issued Executive Order(EO) 102 which streamlines the
organization and functions of the country's public health
care system.
 Issued Executive Order(EO) 151, also known as Farmer’s
Trust Fund, which allows the voluntary consolidation of
small farm operation into medium and large scale
integrated enterprise that can access long-term capital
 President Estrada launched the sa Magkabalikat Para sa
Agraryong Kaunlaran or MAGKASAKA.
International Relations
 The Estrada administration upheld the foreign policy thrusts of
the Ramos administration, focusing on national security,
economic diplomacy, assistance to nationals, and image-building.
 The Philippines continued to be at the forefront of the regional
and multilateral arena. It successfully hosted the ASEAN
Ministerial Meeting in July 1998 and undertook confidence-
building measures with China over the South China Sea issue
through a meeting in March 1999.
 President Estrada strengthened bilateral ties with neighboring
countries by his visits to Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore,
Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea.

 On 1999 the Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States

was ratified in the Senate. The country also sent a delegation of
108 observers to the Indonesian parliamentary elections, and
engaged in cooperative activities in the areas of security, defense,
combating transnational crimes, economy, culture, and the
protection of OFWs and Filipinos abroad.
Economy
 In 1998, the Philippine economy deteriorated again as a result of spill
over from the Asian financial crisis, although not as much as other
Asian nations, and a wave of natural disasters also dragged the
economy down. Growth fell to about -0.6% in 1998 from 5.2% in
1997, but recovered to 3.4% by 1999 and to 4.0% by 2000.
 The inflation rate came down from 11 percent in January 1999 to just
a little over 3 percent by November of the same year. This was in part
due to the successful agricultural program Agrikulturang Maka
MASA, through which it achieved an output growth of 6 percent, a
record high at the time. The peso was 44 to the dollar in 1998 and
recovered by 38 to a dollar the following year.
 The interest rates were 28% in 1998 and came down to 14% by 1999.
President Joseph Estrada attempted to resist protectionist measures,
and efforts to continue the reforms begun by the Ramos
administration made significant progress.
 He also established a socio-economic program called "Angat-Pinoy
2004" pointed out five things for the economy:
Economy
 The Gross National Product (GNP) to grow from 0.1 per cent in
1998 to 6-7 per cent in 2004.
 Unemployment to decline from 10.1 per cent in 1998 to 6.7-8 per
cent.
 Inflation to slow down from 9.8 per cent in 1998 to 4-5 per cent.
 The national government’s fiscal balance to improve from a
deficit of 1.8 per cent of GNP in 1998 to a surplus of 0.7 per cent
of GNP.
 Finally, export growth to remain strong at 14.5-15.1 per cent.
 Alongside these objectives, the plan calls for nurturing a
"responsive citizenry" and creating an environment conducive to
a better life for all.
 However, a major bank failure in April 2000 and the
impeachment and subsequent departure of President Estrada in
the beginning of 2001 led to another slower growth.
Judicial Appointments
 President Estrada appointed Hilario G. Davide Jr., then
Associate Justice, as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
of the Philippines on November 30, 1998. He also
appointed to the post of Associate Justice of the
Philippines, Bernardo P. Pardo (1998), Arturo B.
Buena (1999), Minerva P. Gonzaga-Reyes (1999)
and Sabino R. De Leon, Jr. (1999).
Moro War
 During the Ramos administration a cessation of hostilities
agreement was signed between the Philippine Government
and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in July 1997.
This was continued by a series of peace talks and
negotiations in Estrada administration. However the Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a Islamic group formed in
1977, seeks to be an independent Islamic State from the
Philippines, despite the agreements, a sequence of terrorist
encounters with the Philippine military and the civilians
still continued. Such of those attacks are 277 violations
committed, kidnapping a foreign priest, namely Father
Luciano Benedetti, the occupying and setting on fire of the
municipal hall of Talayan, Maguindanao; the takeover of
the Kauswagan Municipal Hall; the bombing of the Lady of
Mediatrix boat at Ozamis City; and the takeover of the
Narciso Ramos Highway.
Moro War
 The country's image abroad was damaged, and these attacks also
scared much-needed investments away. In addition to this, the
Philippine government learned that the MILF has links with Al-Qaeda.
Because of this, on March 21, 2000, President Joseph Estrada declared
an "all-out-war" against the MILF. During the war the Catholic Bishops
Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) asked Estrada to agree to a cease-
fire with MILF, but Estrada opposed the idea arguing that a cease-fire
would cause more terrorist attacks. For the next three months of the
war, Camp Abubakar, headquarters of the MILF, fell along with other
13 major camps and 43 minor camps, all of which came under control
by the government. MILF leader Hashim Salamat fled the country and
went to Malaysia. The MILF later declared a Jihad on the government.
On July 10 of the same year, the President went to Mindanao and raised
the Philippine flag symbolizing victory. After the war the President
said, "... will speed up government efforts to bring genuine and lasting
peace and development in Mindanao". In the middle of July the
president ordered the military to arrest top MILF leaders.
Moro War
 In his State of the Nation Address, popularly called "SONA", the president highlighted
his vision for Mindanao:
 The first is to restore and maintain peace in Mindanao--because without peace, there can
be no development.
 The second is to develop Mindanao--because without development, there can be no
peace.
 The third is to continue seeking peace talks with the MILF within the framework of the
Constitution--because a peace agreed upon in good faith is preferable to a peace enforced
by force of arms.
 And the fourth is to continue with the implementation of the peace agreement between
the government and the Moro National Liberation Front, or MNLF--because that is our
commitment to our countrymen and to the international community.
 In addition to this the president said his administration can move with more speed in
transforming Mindanao into a progressive economic center. High on the list of priorities
was the plight of MILF guerrillas who were tired of fighting and had no camps left to
report to. On October 5, 2000, 669 MILF mojahedin led by the renegade vice mayor
of Marugong, Lanao del Sur, Malupandi Cosandi Sarip and seven other battalion
commanders, surrendered to President Joseph Estrada at the 4th ID headquarters
in Camp Edilberto Evangelista, Bgy. Patag, Cagayan de Oro City. They were followed
shortly by a second batch of 855 surrenderees led by MILF Commander Sayben Ampaso
on Dec. 29, 2000.
President Estrada’s Financial Status in 1999
 Months before President Estrada’s impeachment trial started on
December 7 2000, the Philippine Center for Investigative
Journalism published an article on the state of President Estrada’s
finances. At the time of writing, while the president admitted to his
extramarital liaisons with three other women: former actress Guia
Gomez, the mother of his son JV Ejercito; Laarni Enriquez, also a
former actress with whom he has three chilren; and Joy Melendrez, a
former model with whom he has a son, the President did not explain
how he was able to maintain and support his various households. His
declared net worth of P35.8 million and net income of P2.3 million in
his Statement of Assets and Liabilities (SALN) in 1999 were not
enough to explain the lavish lifestyle and varied business interests of
his families. He and his families combined were listed shareholders of
66 companies. The assets of 14 companies alone were worth P600
million. He did not declare in SALNs since 1987, his and his wife Loi
Ejercito’s holdings in 11 companies, which transact with and are
regulated by government agencies; these businesses raise conflict of
interest issues for the President, and violate the provisions of the
Constitution, that he should duly avoid conflicts of interest in the
conduct of his office.
President Estrada’s Financial Status in 1999
 His families formed 11 new companies since 1998. Guia Gomez alone
was listed as shareholder and incorporator of 33 companies, seven of
which are in real estate with a combined authorized capital of P200
million. The President appointed not only Guia Gomez’ business
partners such as Julius Topacio, who was also undersecretary of a
department and his chief accountant as listed in his 1987 SALN;
Rosario Yu who was Estrada’s friend Lucio Tan’s ex-secretary; former
presidential assistant Cecilia Ejercito De Castro, who was implicated in
a P200-million textbook scandal, though he claimed he did not know
her in the wake of the scandal; but also his kumpadres and kaibigans as
mentioned in the complaint for impeachment against him. He
appointed Captain Rufino F. Pimentel, a brother-in-law, as Philippine
Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) director; Raul de
Guzman, also a brother-in-law, as member of the board of regents of
the University of the Philippines; and the son of Mr. De Guzman, as
presidential consultant on environment and water.
Corruption charges and impeachment
 Estrada's presidency was soon marred by accusations of
plunder and corruption. In October 2000, Ilocos
Sur governor Luis “Chavit” Singson, a close friend of
Estrada's, alleged that he had personally given the
President P400 million as payoff for jueteng – a
grassroots-based numbers game, as well as P180 million
from the government price subsidy for the tobacco
farmers' marketing cooperative. Singson's allegation
caused uproar across the nation, which culminated in
the House of Representatives' filing of an impeachment
case against Estrada on November 13, 2000.
Corruption charges and impeachment
 The impeachment suit was brought to the Senate and an
impeachment court was formed, with Chief Justice Hilario
Davide, Jr. as presiding officer.
 Estrada, pleading “not guilty”, called for two of the
country's leading lawyers to his side, former chief
justice Andres Narvasa and Estelito Mendoza.
 Estrada was the first president to have ever been served the
articles of impeachment
 Impeachment trial was disrupted in January 2001 when
prosecutors resigned after the Senate as an impeachment
court voted, by 11-10, not to open a second envelope that
contained details of the Jose Velarde account at Equitable
PCI Bank.
 This developments triggered Peoples Power II which
unseated President Estrada.
Impeachment Complaint Against
President Joseph Ejercito Estrada
 On the first ever impeachment complaint in Philippine history against an incumbent
president, the complainants, then House Rep. Heherson Alvarez, Teodoro
Casino and Teresita Quintos Deles, took their oath and signed before a witness that they
were filing said complaint based on the following grounds: bribery, graft and corrupt
practices, betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution, and
complaint was filed based on the provisions of Article XI, Sections 2 and 3 of the
Constitution. The counts mentioned in the complaint are as follows:
 Bribery
 Receiving jueteng payola of P10 million a month from jueteng lords
 Graft and Corrupt Practices
 Taking of P130 million from tobacco tax to supposedly cover 1998 election expenses
 Participating directly in his family’s real estate business that constructed 36 townhouses in
Vermont Park Executive Village, Antipolo City
 Swearing on his SALN that he had family business interests in only three firms although
government records show that he and his wife, mistresses and their children are
shareholders in 59 other companies.
 Betrayal of Public Trust
 Attempts to exonerate Dante Tan, a known Estrada pal, from accusations of insider
trading and stock price manipulation of Best World Gaming.
Impeachment Complaint Against President
Joseph Ejercito Estrada
 Covering up supposed abuses by two of his sons instead of letting the law take
its course: Jinggoy, who was in a fight with doctors in a hospital emergency
room and Jude, who flew a government plane to Cagayan de Oro and left
without paying his hotel and restaurant bills; appointment of cousin Cecilia
Ejercito de Castro as presidential assistant though he claimed not to know her
at the height of the 1998 textbook scandal, and appointment of “more than a
hundred kumpares as presidential advisers, consultants, assistants."
 Fast growing assets in family firms; he participates in business for himself, his
family and friends
 Release of P100 million in charity sweepstakes funds to a foundation with
offices at his home address
 Culpable Violation of the Constitution
 Breaking his oath of office which is to uphold the law when he
provided Cabinet members with smuggled luxury vans, thereby violating
the Anti-Graft Law and the Customs Code.
 Going against a 1994 Supreme Court Ruling by appointing Ramon Cardenas,
Magdangal Elma, Robert Aventajado, Ric Tan Legada, Gaudencio Mendoza, and
Raul de Guzman to multiple government posts
Impeachment Complaint Against President
Joseph Ejercito Estrada
 This was the first time Filipinos would witness, through radio
and television, an elected president stand in trial and face
possible impeachment. During the trial, the prosecution
presented witnesses and evidences to the impeachment court
proving Estrada's involvement in jueteng. The existence of secret
bank accounts which he allegedly used for receiving payoffs was
also brought up front. Singson, after being offered immunity by
anti-Estrada lawmakers, stood as witness against the president
during the trial and said that he and the President were partners
in-charge of the country-wide jueteng operations. Though his
credibility was questioned several times, the depth of Singson's
personal knowledge on questionable activities of the President,
drawing from reactions of the citizens, seemed to weigh more.
EDSA II Revolution
 The impeachment trial took an unexpected turn when, on January 16,
2001, the court, whose majority were allies of Estrada, voted not to open
a controversial envelope. This envelope was rumored to contain
incriminating evidence against the president and its opening would have
decided Estrada's fate right there and then. The prosecution panel and
the officials from the opposition walked out of the court in protest of the
vote. Senator Aquilino Pimentel also resigned as Senate President to
signify his objection to the turnout of the proceedings. The events fueled
a three-day street protest.
 Gathered at the historic EDSA Shrine, the same site of the 1986
revolution that overthrew Ferdinand Marcos, hundreds of Filipinos
staged rallies asking for Estrada's resignation. Students, professionals,
and various civic groups took part in what came to be known as EDSA II.
The number of protesters grew from hundreds to thousands in a matter
of days. The rallies were also held simultaneously in provinces in
the Visayas and Mindanao. On January 19, 2001, AFP chief Angelo
Reyes joined the assembly at EDSA, announcing that the 113,000-strong
Armed Forces of the Philippines was withdrawing support for Estrada.
EDSA II Revolution
 On January 20 2001, news came to the thousands
gathered at EDSA that President Estrada had stepped
down. People Power II came to a head at his departure.
Following the Supreme Court's declaration of vacancy
of the presidential seat, Chief Justice Hilario Davide
swore in the constitutional successor, Gloria
Macapagal - Arroyo, as the President of the
Philippines. Mr. Estrada afterwards claimed that he
took a leave of absence from presidency on January 20
2001 and left Malacanang temporarily.
Post-presidency
 A few days after his return home, his lawyers filed cases of protest
against the unconstitutionality of the presidency of Gloria Macapagal-
Arroyo, that it was illegitimate, despite the local and international
recognition of Arroyo's succession.
 "EDSA III"
 He was arrested at his San Juan home on April 25 2001 for plunder
charges filed against him at Sandiganbayan. Upon learning of the
former president's arrest, Estrada's supporters came in waves to the
EDSA Shrine demanding his release and reinstatement as president.
On May 1, 2001, the pro-Estrada protesters marched straight to the
presidential palace chanting “ EDSA III”. Violence soon erupted
between the police and the protesters, forcing the government to
declared a State of Rebellion. The military was able to quell the
rebellion but when the melee was over, the streets looked like a war
zone – vans were turned upside-down and tires were set on fire. Many
of Estrada's supporters were arrested, including politicians who
allegedly provoked the unrest.
 He spent more than six years in detention, first at Veterans Memorial
Medical Center, second at Camp Capinpin in Tanay and finally at his
Tanay rest house.
Arraignment for Plunder and Perjury Charges
 Mr. Estrada’s trial was delayed because his lawyers filed
petitions to cancel the trial. On July 10 2001, a few
hours before the rescheduled arraignment of Mr.
Estrada at the Sandiganbayan for the crime of plunder
and commission of felony through perjury, his lawyers
filed a motion with the Supreme Court to declare that
the trial at the Sandiganbayan was unconstitutional,
despite Mr. Estrada’s vote to pass the plunder law in
1991 when he was still a senator.
Arraignment for Plunder and
Perjury Charges
 Since the Supreme Court had not passed a judgment on the
motion by the time the hearing at Sandigan was supposed
to proceed, the deposed president was arraigned for
plunder charges, and this despite refusing to enter a plea
because he did not recognize the court’s authority. His co-
accused, son Jinggoy Estrada and lawyer Eduardo Serapio
also refused to enter a plea, hence the Court entered a plea
of not guilty for all the accused. On November 19 2001, the
Supreme Court en banc passed a judgment that the R.A.
7080, otherwise known as the Plunder Law, as amended
by RA 7659, is constitutional, thereby junking for lack of
merit Mr. Estrada’s petition to declare the law
unconstitutional.
Arraignment for Plunder and
Perjury Charges
Setting the date
 On September 7, 2007, the Sandiganbayan's anti-
corruption court headed by Teresita De Castro announced
that the court will promulgate the judgment on September
12, 2007 for the 6-year plunder trial of former president
Estrada. Verdicts will also be handed down to his two co-
accused. Court Sheriff Ed Urieta said a tight security on the
date set will include 4,000 police and 2,000 soldiers, and
military. Estrada, accused of stealing 4 billion pesos in
illegal funds and falsely declaring his assets, has been
under house arrest since 2001.
Arraignment for Plunder and
Perjury Charges
The Verdict
 On September 12 2007, the Sandiganbayan acquitted Mr. Estrada on
charges of perjury for not declaring his true financial status on his
SALN but gave him a verdict of "guilty beyond reasonable doubt" of
plunder, the first Philippine president to be convicted of such a crime.
The court, however, considered the former president's six-year stay in
prison as part of his 'time served' though it was unclear as to when he
might be eligible for parole.
 Along with the guilty verdict, the anti-graft court also ruled the
forfeiture (in favor of the government) of Estrada's bank accounts,
worth an estimated 442 million peson (including interests); the Jose
Velarde accounts, worth 189 million pesos (including interests); and
the “ Boracay" mansion in New Manila, Quezon City. Estrada was
however acquitted of perjury for falsely declaring his assets and
liabilities while he was president. His co-accused in the plunder
charges, were both acquitted.
Arraignment for Plunder and
Perjury Charges
 The Sandiganbayan decision was only for the former
president, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, and Atty. Serapio.
Another accused, Charlie “Atong” Ang was sentenced
to up to six years in prison and has been on probation
since March 2007. The other co-accused, Yolanda
Ricaforte , Jaime Dichaves, Alma Alfaro, Eleuterio
Tan, and Delia Rajas were still at large and had not
been arraigned as of September 2007.
Arraignment for Plunder and
Perjury Charges
 Appeal and Withdrawal
 After the conviction, Estrada and his counsel announced their
plan to appeal the anti-graft court's conviction. Estelito
Mendoza, one of the convicted president's lawyers, claims the
prosecution failed to prove that it was Estrada who collected the
proceeds and that the proceeds were public funds. But on
October 22, 2007, the former president told the anti-graft court
that he was dropping his motion for reconsideration on his
verdict and would instead seek pardon from the president.
The Sandiganbayan granted Estrada's motion to waive his right
to appeal the next day. Estrada's withdrawal makes the court's
decision final paving the way for the possibility of pardon.
Arraignment for Plunder and
Perjury Charge
Pardon
 He became a free man again on October 25 2007 on the
basis of a pardon granted by then President Gloria
Macapagal Arroyo; the pardon was announced by then
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye. Bunye said the President's
decision was based on a Department of Justice (DOJ)
recommendation and that Estrada's decision not to pursue
the appeal for his conviction made way for the presidential
pardon. The Press Secretary also added that the
presidential pardon recognizes Estrada's six years in
detention. Estrada's civil rights will be restored through the
pardon if he accepts it, however, the forfeitures imposed by
the Sandiganbayan in the earlier conviction will remain.
Return to Politics
2010 Presidential bid
 On 21 October 2009, Estrada declared that he would run again for
presidency in the 2010 national election with Makati mayor Jejomar
Binay as his vice-presidential running mate.
 Disputes on the eligibility of his bid arose since he has been convicted
for the crime of plunder. Under the Constitution of the Philippines, no
individual may be elected to any government office if he has been
charged with criminal offense. The Arroyo government also clarified
that the presidential pardon given to Estrada carries certain provisions
that prohibit him from seeking and occupying any elective government
position.
 Estrada ran for the presidency again in the 2010 elections, with
then Makati City Mayor Jejomar C. Binay as his running mate, after
the Commission on Elections approved his bid with the ruling that he
was not covered by the Constitutional ban on presidential re-election
since he is not an incumbent President. COMELEC added that the
pardon has restored Estrada's civil and political rights. Benigno Simeon
Aquino III emerged as the winner in the presidential race with Estrada
coming in second in the final official COMELEC tally.
2013 Manila Mayoralty Candidate
 In May 2012, Estrada stated that Pwersa ng Masang
Pilipino (PMP) is not a political party. Political parties
are parties only during election time but forget about
the masses after election. He insisted that his group is
not a party but the Force of the Masses. PMP leaders
claimed that PMP is getting back on its feet just like its
leader who was deposed and imprisoned. After Mr.
Estrada’s ouster, many party members had abandoned
the PMP.
 Mr. Estrada has since relocated his residence to Sta.
Mesa, Manila in preparation for the city elections. His
running mate is former actor-reelectionist Isko
Moreno, who is Francisco Domagoso in real life, and
the incumbent vice mayor of Manila.
2013 Manila Mayoralty Candidate
 Incumbent Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim’s supporters criticized
Mr. Estrada as not being a “real Manilan.” In jest, he replied that
he is Manilan because he was born at the Manuguit Maternity
Hospital in 1937; Lim must have been born in Beijing, he added.
On an interview, Mr. Estrada said that it did not matter if he, a
former president of the Republic, was now running for a lower
post as a city mayor; for him what mattered was service to the
people, especially the poor. He was also running as Manila and
not San Juan mayor because he was already through serving San
Juan; San Juan is now beautiful. He plans to beautify Manila.
Part of his platform includes the urban renewal of Manila, job
and livelihood generation, all-out war against criminals and
scalawags in uniform. Mr. Estrada had commissioned a
University of the Philippines study on Manila and plans to
implement the recommendations based on the study.
2013 Manila Mayoralty Candidate
 Estrada and Mayor Lim used to be allies. Lim was
formerly a member of Estrada's PMP but due to a
"falling out" with Estrada, he left PMP and ran for re-
election in 2010 under the Liberal Party. Domagoso
who was Lim's running mate in 2010 joined PMP in
May 2012. In May, Estrada had not confirmed his
intention to run against Lim but he had already begun
criticizing Lim about the state of Manila. He said that
in the past 20 years, Manila had been left behind by
other cities including San Juan.
Mayor Joseph Estrada
Manila City Mayor
June 30, 2013-June 30, 2016

 Former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada was sworn in

as new Manila mayor by former Senate President Juan
Ponce Enrile before noon Sunday, June 30, 2013.
 Manila Mayor Joseph "Erap" Ejercito Estrada officially
seek reelection as he filed his certificate of candidacy
(COC) Wednesday, October 14,Comelec office in
Manila.
References
1. Doronila, Armando. The Fall of Joseph Estrada. Anvil
Publishing, Inc. and Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc.
2001.
2. Sheila Coronel. EDSA 2: A Nation in Revolt. Anvil
Publishing, Inc. 2001
3. Joseph Ejercito Estrada – The Philippine Presidency
Project
4. Profile: Joseph Estrada- BBC News
5. Joseph Estrada-AFP
6. Key Facts on Estrada –Reuters
7. Estrada to file motion for reconsideration – Philippine
Daily Inquirer
References
8. Platforms (Accessed 10 April 2010) Presidential
Museum & Library
9. Supreme Court website(8 February 2013
10. Bondoc, Jarius Impeachment case: Morality, not just
jueteng. GOTCHA, Philstar.com. (Accessed 8
February 2013).
11. Evangelista, Kate. Burgonio, TJ Estrada takes a dig at
Lim over Manila plight. Inquirer.net & Philippine
Daily Inquirer. (Accessed 8 February 2013).
END